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June 23, 2014

CHITRANNA RECIPE/NIMBEHANNU CHITRANNA-KARNATAKA RECIPES

This is my first post on Karnataka recipes.As u all know,Chitrannam/Chitranna is a very popular breakfast/lunch recipe in Karnataka houses.Here people make this for all occasions and poojas.Not just in houses,this would be the breakfast recipe u can find in most of the small roadside hotels apart from thatte idli.I have tasted this chitranna with avalakki(poha) and Mandakki(puffed rice) in Davangere benne dosa stall.Chitranna is nothing but our South indian variety rice with slight variations.They call it as Nimbe hannu chitranna for lemon rice.It can be made very quickly and its a tasty lunch box recipe too.Most of the kids in school bring this rice for their Lunch box.I am really happy to share this most popular Chitranna recipe (recipe with my name ) as my first Karnataka recipes post .The recipe i have shared here tastes close to the ones that is served in restaurants here.I have also shared a coconut chutney recipe in the “Notes” section which is the side dish served in road side hotels for Chitranna.In small hotels,i have seen people having this chitranna with coriander leaves chutney and Besan Bonda for breakfast.So i too served in the same way.It was awesome.Sendhil loved it a lot.

Before going to this recipe,i would like to mention about my Kannadiga friends, without them this post wouldn’t have come up.
I have been in Bangalore for 8 years but i have not even blogged a single Karnataka recipe.I feel so bad for this .The reason behind this is i have not tasted typical Karnataka food in hotels or in friend’s places and i did not get a good source to teach me all their recipes too.We had tried several times to visit MTR & Vidyarthi bhavan which are very famous restaurants here.But by seeing the crowd,we step out each time.Last year i got some 6 good kannadiga friends.We met & became friends in Raksha’s school.As all of them are mom’s of Raksha’s class mates,we used to discuss about school,studies,food,movies etc and we have a group named “School moms” in Watsapp too .They all cook authentic Karnataka recipes like ragi mudde,Bisibelebath,Thatte idli etc very well .They know about my food blog & suggest me some good recipes to try.I am really lucky and proud to get those friends.Earlier i used to speak butler kannada and now my language has much improved just because of them .Not just language,I explored Bangalore only becoz of my friends.We used to go to famous hotels,malls,Chaat shops etc during vacations and weekends.Now i thoroughly enjoy my life in Bangalore because of these ladies .I wanted to write about them for long time but I feel this post would be apt to mention about these wonderful people.Here is the picture of my friends.

From left- Nagalakshmi,Priya,Padmini,Archana ,Megha(with baby) and Thara(right side corner) in the second picture .
I have told much about Megha in my peanut chutney &aloo paratha posts who is very close to my heart.This Chitranna recipe is also from Megha .Thanks a lot dearie.
I will mention about my other friends in my upcoming Karnataka recipes post . With all these great resources,i had started venturing karnataka recipes & i have planned to post them once in a week.Wish me good luck friends.Ok,without much blah blahss,let me proceed how to make this yummy,easy chitranna recipe..

Chitranna recipe

How to make Karnataka style nimbehannu chitranna /Lemon rice recipe

Cuisine:Indian

Category:Lunch

Serves:Serves 3

Prep time:5 Minutes

Cook time:15 Minutes

Total time:20 Minutes

INGREDIENTS

Raw rice- 1/2 cup(Sona masoori)

Big onion - 1 no(small)

Garlic cloves – 3 nos(finely chopped)

Green chillies - 4 nos

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Lemon juice - 2 tbsp

Grated coconut- 2 tbsp(optional)

Salt- as needed

Water - 2.5 cups

To temper

Cooking oil - 1 tbsp

Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp

Urad dal - 1 tsp

Chana dal - 2 tsp

Roasted peanuts - 2 tbsp

Curry leaves - few

Coriander leaves - to garnish

METHOD

Wash and pressure cook the rice adding required water and a drop of oil in low flame for one whistle.Open the lid and spread the rice in a plate..Allow it to cool.Rice should be separate.

good first post on Karnataka cuisine.. lovely click..eager to see many more posts ... This is almost the authentic nimbehannu chitranna..Just a small info: usually in brahmins nimbehannu chitranna, garlic is not added .Also onions are optional.. Being a Kannadiga,thought will tell .. hope you dont mind..

Hi Chitra, Thanks for a fab recipe, as I remember it, Chitranna is made without lemon juice and ground fresh coconut is sprinkled on top for garnish. Also a chopped tomato is to be fried lightly along with the onions and garlic. But that's probably the Davangere version. Try serving it with fried baby potatoes, it's a great combo. Cheers.